I'm a Big Girl now!

Here we go.... A couple weeks ago, I looked over at Brooklin while Brandon was reading a bedtime story with the boys, and to my surprise, she was standing up?!?! I thought it was just a fluke, but since then, it is hard to keep her from pulling up on everything...or at least attempting to! She especially likes to stand in her crib and slowly let go with one hand, then the other, fall on her bottom, look at me and wait for "Yay.." and claps:). It's her favorite game. She also began crawling shortly after....and now, I can't keep her still. She's a fast little girly! All of this leading to a first of I'm sure many bruises and scratches. She has gotten both top front teeth this past week, which brings the tooth count up to 4. (Knock on wood) she is still a great teether...I've so far lucked out and only know she is teething by the occasional whimper, fever, but usually just extra quiet baby. We did have to go to the doctor again...that darn cold just kept hanging on and it started to make me nervous. They ended up telling us it was an ear infection, giving us some medicine, and sending us on our way. I am not sure if it was an "ear infection"...she never pulled on her ears once, but the medicine did kick the runny nose and cough...so thank God for that! Halloween was a lot of fun. We went to Brooklin's Aunt Janel and Uncle Nick's house, where we were able to see all of her cousins (on Brandon's side) in their costumes:). Then, Brandon pulled everyone on a wagon with hay behind his truck around the neighborhood. Brooklin and I rode up front...it was FREEZING! She ended up wearing her Tinkerbell costume. She looked very cute. All the kids looked very cute! And I think everyone had a great time (despite it being very cold!). We didn't make it out for trick-or-treating in Union Mills though. I got off of work too late, so we just ended up hanging out at Grandma and Papa Snyder's and waited for all of her cousins (on my side) to show up. They all looked great too! And she didn't seem scared by any of the costumes either. Babies don't have much fear though...they are the lucky ones! Last month, we also were able to make Donuts due to the first snow. Brooklin enjoyed it, although it was a little past her bedtime...we started kind of late this year...but rules are rules, and we had to make them on the day of the first snow. So, all in all, life is going good. Baby girl is getting bigger all the time....staying happy....and we are falling in love with her more and more with every passing day!

So Many Changes!

So my baby girl is growing up faster and faster all the time. Let's see...since the last blog, Brooklin has gotten two bottom teeth, is sitting herself up, and is starting to crawl! She is in the very early stages of the crawling thing, but did move a bit today. She is very mobile for not being able to really crawl yet. If she wants something, she will get it! She's a determined and STUBBORN little girl! We went with Brandon, Mason, Kai, Granny, Aunt Amanda, Uncle John, Ava, Aiden, and Addison to Garwoods a couple weeks ago. We had a really nice time. Brooklin got her first pumpkin. All the kids enjoyed themselves...I think the big kids did too:). Last week, my parents and I took Brooklin to Guse's Cornmaze and took some pictures there. We didn't stay too long though, because Granny had gotten us tickets to go and see a Globe-trotter-like basketball game at LPHS. We had a good time there too. We did have to take a trip to the ER last week... She was coughing so bad she started choking and then kept choking...but they gave her a steroid and we came home. She is still battling the cold, but I think that she is working on getting a top tooth. Brandon has been doing some remodeling at the house too...and I think the dust isn't helping...you should see how great it looks though! He's been working hard, and it's amazing how much different it makes it look!!! As far as food is concerned, forget what I said about not liking chicken...we are back to eating everything without a problem! She's such a good girl! Today she is officially 7 months old. I think this past month has went faster than all the others...she has accomplished quite a lot of milestones! She's still a happy little girl and full of personality. Still so blessed to have her in our lives! Have some Halloween costumes picked out for her...it's between a duck or Tinkerbell. Guess we will see what she's feeling on that day:). Her brothers are going to both be Darth Vadar...or Dark Vadar as Mason likes to call it... and Dark Badar as Kai would say:). I am looking forward to Trick or Treating...Hopefully I'll have some neat pics for ya!

6 Months

Sorry it has been so long since I last updated this blog...we've been busy and I've been lazy when we were actually at home. Brooklin just turned 6 months old on Friday. At her doctor's appointment, she was 17 lbs 11 oz, and 28 3/4 inches long. She has been doing great with her food, and is finally able to move up to Gerber 2nd foods! She tried Chicken and Vegetables last night for dinner...and she hated it. It's the first thing she hasn't liked...I wonder if it is because she's never tasted that before...not even in my belly...hmmm... Well, she only had a few bites and then threw it all up. Poor baby. We are going to try it again tonight though. How sad for her! Besides the more recent things....she has been to a football game, volleyball game, and her first Mill Pond Fest. She is now sitting up all by herself, and hates laying down. She's still nosey and stubborn...and still smiley. She's been working on a bottom tooth for a week now. Not too crabby about it, but I can tell it has been bothering her. She has quite a personality...blowing bubbles and growling all the time! She's quite a talker too (well, she babbles all the time...her talking). She's very active and wants to get everything. She catches on quickly to things that her toys do. I think she is a little smarty! Anyway, we are excited for Halloween next month...not sure what she will be yet, but it will be fun taking her out. I'm anxious to see how she reacts to all the costumes...should be interesting!

My Heart

It's amazing how quickly she is growing up. I know they say time flies...but really, it does! This week we have continued on practicing sitting up...she's getting better all the time. Her cousins came over and went swimming with her the other day (that's her with Auntie)...the more she was splashed, the more she laughed...my little daredevil. She is getting to be quite the personality. When I picked her up from her Granny's house today, she was so happy...laughing and laughing. You can't help but laugh right along with her. She can definitely brighten up your day. She's getting better with holding her own bottle now -tends to get a little lazy about it, but I would too if I knew someone would just feed it to me:). She is also starting to put her pacifier in her mouth on her own- still only takes it when she is ready to sleep. Moved on to peas, loved them! She's such a good little eater. Went to her first high school football "meet the team" to see her cousin QB. She ended up falling asleep, but it lasted pretty late. She enjoyed it up to that point though. She's a very scheduled child (a schedule she made herself- God bless her)....when it is 8:00 she is ready for bed! Well, that is about it...just loving my baby girl and life with her in it!

Cubs or Sox???

Brooklin is still doing very well with the eating. Starting peas tomorrow, so that should be interesting:). Uncle Ernie is trying to make her a Sox fan....she's wearing a Sox hat in one of the pictures. I don't think her daddy would like that too much, but Papa would. We've been working at the sitting up and she is getting better. Starting to wonder if she is cutting teeth... that should be good times. She's so amazing. Everyday I just look at her and can't believe she is actually here in my arms. I prayed for her for so long and God actually blessed me with her. Not sure if I ever did anything to deserve her....but thankfully God gave me a chance with her anyway. I just am so proud of her. She makes me happy even when other things in my life get tough. I'm so lucky! Mommy loves you, Brookin!

Flying Baby.....

Not much new to report this week. Brooklin has been doing great with the eating. She loves her some food!!! She did get to go to her first movie with Vaushna and the kids... Guess her eyes were really big and then the next time Vaush looked at her, she was sleeping. Funny kid. Besides that, we have just been hanging out. We have started working on sitting up. That's going to be a long process. Poor baby:). She loves playing "flying baby". It always makes her laugh...I've included a pic of her and her Uncle E when she was in her Superbaby onesie with cape (from Vaushna). She has also started blowing bubbles all the time. She thinks she is so funny! Such a big girl! We are going to a birthday party today for her cousins, so she'll have a fun day full of lots of different faces. I think it gets boring sometimes just looking at Mommy. At least she gets lots of company at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Her Aunts and Uncles and Cousins are always stopping by to visit. She loves it! Until next week.....

Mmmmm....food

This week Brooklin has been very busy learning how to eat real food. We went to the doctor on Monday, and he said everything looked great..."very advanced" to be exact:)...sorry, I'm proud of that one. She weighed 15 lbs 14 oz and was 26 3/4 in long. What a big girl! She had to get shots again...and yes, I did cry....but she did great! That night, she tried rice cereal for the first time. Wasn't too sure of it at first, but by the end, she was grabbing the spoon and sucking on it. Since then, she has had the cereal twice a day. Yesterday, she tried sweet potatoes for the first time. That is an interesting thing to see....she is definitely not sure of that one...but it's a work in progress and I'll keep trying, as will she. Besides that, we've just been hanging out. She found her feet a few days ago and has been trying very hard to reach them to her mouth...well, today she succeeded. She was happy, and I was grossed out...yet, somehow, I felt pride in her accomplishment. Funny how that works. She had worked so hard, I was kind of glad to see her finally do it! Guess it's okay until she gets to be more mobile...then, that will have to stop:). She also got a new baby einstein jumper thing from Grandma and Papa Snyder. She doesn't really know how to jump yet, but she sure loves all the neat things to play with....especially the green spinning frog. Well, that's about all for this week. She's doing great!!!

Four Months Old

Brooklin is four months old today! I can't believe it is here already. What a big girl! For the past week, she has slept all night every night. We go to the doctor on Monday for her four month appointment, which unfortunately means more shots. It's for her own good though...I have to keep telling myself that one. I think I cried just as much as she did at her two month appointment. Anyway, we should be able to start on some rice cereal then. I am anxious to see how she likes it. She's quite a good eater, so I think she'll do great. My mom put her high chair together last night, so we broke it in today. She seems to like it okay....enjoys being able to see everything and grabbing at her toys. It's amazing...just the other day, she was this helpless little thing who could only lay there, and now I can't seem to keep her occupied long enough. She gets bored easily, like her Momma....well, and Daddy too. Still loving every minute of it. Happy Birthday, baby girl!

Pool Time

Today was Brooklin's first time in a big pool. She went in her purple kiddie pool that her Grandma and Grandpa Snyder bought her last week...and she kind of lounged in it like it was her bath tub. Well, today we attempted the big pool and she LOVED it. She just kept kicking and kicking...it was too funny. She's definitely going to be my water baby....and she should be. She's a pisces and "Brook" means brook or stream while "lin" means either beautiful jade or more importantly waterfall or pool below a waterfall...or so my baby name book says:). So, she was destined to love the water. She's so cute! -not that I'm biased or anything. Getting bigger every second. We go to the doctor a week from Monday for her 4 month appointment. Can't believe she's already that old...time is flying by!

A little info....

So, I am starting this blog a few weeks before Brooklin turns 4 months old. It is crazy how time is flying!!! To bring you all up to date, here is a little info about her life up until now: She was born at LaPorte hospital on March 19, 2008 at 2:06 am. She weighed 8 lbs 9.5 oz and was 21 inches long. We (Brandon and I) named her Brooklin Noelle Jones. We had been discussing Brooklin for while, but it took us a few days to actually name her...she was called random things the first few days. The "lin" in her name is for her Grandma (Linda) and I guess her Auntie (Gretchen Lynn) and the "Noelle" is after Brandon's sister Amanda Noelle. And of course the "Jones" is after her daddy:). I was unsure of the name for a while, but now I couldn't imagine her being called anything else...guess it grows on you. I had to be induced, but once I was, she came pretty quickly...couldn't wait to get out and see the world. Her first hour here with us, she was wide awake, taking it all in....and never crying. That's how she still is. She genuinely is a happy baby, only cries right before she goes to sleep....I think she is just so afraid she'll miss something. She's quite the busy body...always scanning the room, taking it all in...just like when she was born. A couple days after she was born, she got to meet her two big brothers (Mason-6 and Kai-3). They are Brandon's two boys from his previous relationship. She sure loves them. And I am pretty sure they love her too:). She has had many firsts already (from baseball games to her own personal firsts such as rolling over). She is a smart baby (I'm biased I know), follows sound well, has great eyesight, and coos all the times. She is babysat by my best friend, Vaushna (unfortunately, I had to go back to the bank...yuck). Brooklin loves her...just smiles and smiles when Vaushna talks to her...plus she has 4 kids who are great with her too...Leo, her husband, is very good with her also. They have truly welcomed her as part of their family! I couldn't have better friends in my life. On Saturdays, Brandon's mom (Granny) babysits her. They love their walks they get to take together and Brooklin enjoys when Granny sings to her! When they aren't helping me out, my parents are there. They have been amazing throughout this entire experience...always willing to drop anything to help me out. I will never be able to repay them for all they have done, but I will make sure Brooklin knows how wonderful they truly are! Most recent big events would be her laughter, rolling all over the place, and being able to really grab onto things (very strong grasp). She is so funny when she laughs. When I sing to her, she just stares at me and coos along the whole time with a smile on her face. It just melts you. Brooklin also loves her bath time. As soon as I start to get her ready, it's like she knows and she starts smiling and smiling. She definitely was a surprise in my life...but God sure knew what he was doing. She is such a blessing in all of our lives. I pray that I will be a great mother to her and that Brandon will be a great father. She deserves wonderful parents, like I have. I will keep you all posted as to her continued growth and learning in her new life here on Earth. I read today that when a baby is born, so is a mother. How true. I didn't know I could love someone so much...and there she was, this little baby girl who needed me so much...and ironically, I found that I needed her so much too. And every day, I think it would be impossible to love her any more...and then I wake up the next day and realize it is possible. She makes every accomplishment up until now dim in comparison. It has been quite the learning process for me. I ask millions of questions all the time, read all the books, and annoy my family (although they are wonderful and help me out all the time!). What a miracle life is... Pregnancy, birth, and motherhood are just amazing. I am so glad I was given the chance to experience it.